Created by Anna Porter
Improv is a fantastic method to engage your students; this 3 lesson mini unit is a great way to introduce improvisation.
This unit focuses on learning the rules of Improv, trying games to build improvisation skills, and developing conflict and story line.Through the three lesson series, students will use journals, participate in class discussions, learn six different improv games, and perform for their peers.
Assessment tools include both informal assessment as well as a formal quiz that’s included in the unit.
National Core Arts Standards
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Accomplished
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Proficient
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished
Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade HS Advanced
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Advanced
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient
Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade HS Accomplished
Florida Sunshine State Standards
Critical Thinking & Reflection
TH.68.C.1.5 - Describe how a theatrical activity can entertain or instruct an audience.
TH.68.C.2.2 - Keep a rehearsal journal to document individual performance progress.
TH.68.C.2.3 - Ask questions to understand a peer's artistic choices for a performance or design.
TH.68.C.2.4 - Defend personal responses to a theatre production.
Historical & Global Connections
TH.68.H.1.6 - Discuss how a performer responds to different audiences.
Innovation, Technology & the Future
Organizational Structure
TH.68.O.1.1 - Compare different processes an actor uses to prepare for a performance.
Skills, Techniques & Processes
TH.68.S.2.2 - Discuss and apply the theatrical production process to create a live performance.
TH.912.S.1.6 - Respond appropriately to directorial choices for improvised and scripted scenes.
TH.912.S.2.4 - Sustain a character or follow technical cues in a production piece to show focus.
TH.912.S.2.8 - Strengthen acting skills by engaging in theatre games and improvisations.
California VAPA Standards (2019)
Prof.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Acc.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Prof.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Acc.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Acc.TH:Cr2.b - Cooperate as a creative team to make interpretive choices for a drama/theatre work.
Adv.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Adv.TH:Pr5 Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Prof.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Acc.TH:Pr6 Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Common Core
Georgia Performance Standards - Theatre Arts
Grade 6 - Creating
North Carolina Essential Standards 2024
Beginning High School Create
B.CR.1.1 - Devise a variety of scenarios and scenes through improvised and scripted activities.
North Carolina Essential Standards 2010
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
B.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression.
Beginning High School Standards - Culture
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Theatre Arts
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
B.1.A - explore characterization using sensory and emotional recall.
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
C.1.B - develop and practice theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
C.1.D - develop and practice effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Historical and cultural relevance
C.4.A - portray theatre as a reflection of life in particular times, places, and cultures.
HS 117.315 LI - Critical evaluation and response
C.5.A - analyze and apply appropriate behavior at various types of live performances.
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: production
Alberta, Canada
Improvisation Drama 10
1 - use warmup techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
Junior Goal II Objectives
develop the ability to give form or expression to feelings, ideas and images
Junior Orientation
demonstrate a willingness to take calculated and reasonable risks
demonstrate trust by becoming comfortable, physically and emotionally, with others
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
1 - use warm-up techniques for preparation of body, voice and mind
Improvisation/Acting Level II - Intermediate
17 - select and use language appropriate to a given character and situation
Junior Goal I Objectives
Senior Goal I Objectives
demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, individually and to the group
demonstrate the ability to considered decisions, act upon them and accept the results
Senior Goal II Objectives
extend the ability to give form and expression to feelings, ideas and images
British Columbia (2018)
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Express, feelings, ideas, and experiences through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
Take creative risks to experience and express thoughts, emotions, and meaning
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
Collaborate through reciprocal relationships during creative processes
Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the audience
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills and techniques through presentation or performance
Develop performance skills in a variety of contexts
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Create dramatic works for an intended audience
Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills and techniques through presentation or performance
Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
Explore and create dramatic works to express ideas, meaning, and emotions
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Demonstrate awareness of self, others, and audience
Receive and apply constructive feedback to develop and refine ideas
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
Develop dramatic works for an intended audience
Explore and create dramatic works to express ideas, meaning, and emotions
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Receive, provide, and apply constructive feedback to refine dramatic works
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Ontario, Canada
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Drama and Society
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Presentation Techniques & Technologies
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - The Creative Process
Virginia Standards Of Learning (2020)
Grade Six
6.3 - The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate theatrical works
6.4 - The student will identify connections between personal experience and dramatizations
6.5 - The student will identify communication and collaboration skills for theatre experiences.
Grade Six
Grade Seven
7.1 - The student will demonstrate creative thinking by improvising scenes from given situations.
7.2 - The student will demonstrate a creative process for theatre.
Grade Seven
7.3 - The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate theatre.
7.4 - The student will justify personal responses to theatrical productions.
Grade Eight
8.3 - The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate theatre.
8.5 - The student will apply communication and collaboration skills for theatre experiences.
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.5 - The student will apply communication and collaboration skills for theatre experiences.
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
TI.2 - The student will apply a creative process for theatre.
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